Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro met with Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin at the latter’s office in Dhaka today. Photo: MoFA

DHAKA, Mar 19, 2025 (BSS)- Dhaka today reiterated its concerned and urged the Italian embassy here to take due measures to dispose of the visa applications of the intending Bangladeshi workers as well as resolve the existing visa gridlock at the earliest.  

The urge was made while Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin at the latter’s office, said a foreign ministry’s press release here. 

During discussion, the Foreign Secretary raised the issue of the backlog of the visa applications, particularly of aspirant migrant workers. 

He added that such delay in issuing visa might result in the work permits (Nula Ostas) getting expired or cancelled while causing huge financial, social and psychological distress on the visa aspirants and their families. 

Ambassador Alessandro took active note on the point, the press release said.

He, however, conveyed that all Nulla Ostas issued to Bangladeshi citizens until October 22 last year are currently suspended under the new law of the Italian government.

Therefore, the embassy decided to return the travel documents of those who have already submitted visa applications before the adoption of the law, the envoy said.

The Ambassador also informed that the re-examination process of Nulla Osta is solely performed by the Provincial Immigration Authority in Italy which can either confirm or revoke the Nulla Osta. 

The Embassy has no power to intervene in scrutinization of the pending Nulla Osta, he added. 

With regards to a query on processing times, the Italian Ambassador explained that the Embassy is not in a position to conclude each visa process within the period of 90 days. 

The work visa applications received in Bangladesh coupled with the mandatory control on implementation of the ‘Flow Decree’ in Italy sometimes requires more than 90 days.

On the duration of “Nulla Osta” Ambassador Alessandro explained that the suspension by law has frozen the expiration date.

However, Ambassador Alessandro assured the Foreign Secretary that he would convey the request to the competent authority of Italy to expedite the re-examination of the pending Nulla Ostas and address the issue as early as possible.